Soundbeam for the Elderly
Soundbeam is being used successfully in the aged care sector. It’s touch free technology and sensitivity enables the player to independently express themselves through music, no matter how immobilised they may be or with other challenges such as dementia or Parkinson’s disease. This immersive experience brings the benefits of music making to the individual. Soundbeam fits well with well-being plans for the elderly, it can be used solo or in groups.
There are currently a few international government funded research programs in progress looking into the use of Soundbeam in elderly care. Professor Andrea Creech, Canada Research Chair in Music in the Community, Faculty of Music, Laval University in Quebec is running a project in Quebec and Ontario called Age Well. The project, funded by the Canadian Fund for Innovation is focused on exploring the use of assistive digital music technology to enable older people to engage with creative musical expression. They are using Soundbeam on both sites. We are keen to see their findings and will link to the report when it's published.
Below are links to an already published paper by professor Phil Ellis of Sunderland University UK and a few articles that might be helpful in highlighting the befits of using Soundbeam with the elderly.